HASTINGS, Neb. — The inaugural visit to KAM Raceway to kick off Nebraska Micro Week, the Lucas Oil National Open Wheel 600 Series presented by Hi-Plains Division, saw a field of 119 across Non-Wing (53), A-Class (47), and Restricted (19) competition.
While Jett Nunley and Frank Flud added to their win totals in Restricted and A-Class, the Thursday showdown welcomed a first-time winner as Brecken Reese powered to victory in Non-Wing competition.
Chasing Jaxon Brenning through traffic and cautions, Flud finally got the run for the point on lap 22. Back after Flud for the lead, Brenning threw everything he had at it through the final two turns. Sliding the RUJO No. 81, Frank was able to turn under the No. 91 through the final 30 feet to win his 65th A-Class feature by .231 seconds. Jaxson settled for second with Garrett Benson third. Brecken Reese crossed fourth with Joey Starnes moving from 16th to complete the top five.
Three different leaders through the Non-Wing A-Feature, the race began with California’s Cameron Paul up front for seven revolutions before a mechanical issue sidelined the No. 1j. Gifting the lead to J.J. Loss, the No. 67j railed the cushion but would get bit by the topside on lap 21.
Putting the car on two tires, the misstep allowed Brecken Reese to capitalize for the lead and, finally, his first Non-Wing win with the tour. J.J. Loss ended up second with Joey Starnes third. Moving up from 14th, Cale Coons crossed fourth with Jadyn Friesen in fifth.
A race of attrition for Restricted, the stoppages made things interesting as Jett Nunley worked the middle to top of the speedway later in the race. Restarting second to Ollie Geiger, the No. 7g was careful around the bottom with Nunley in tow before a long stoppage on lap three; after Sawyer Kiner took a hard hit to the bottom frame rails. The Aurora, Neb., driver was transported for further observation. A few more times restarting in second, the path to series win No. 13 was in sight as Jett battled to the font on lap seven.
Trading back the following lap, the lead was finally in hand on lap nine, with Nunley pulling away by 2.080 seconds over Bradley Cox, who made a high-side run through the final five laps to grab second. Even Semerad was third, with Haidyn Hansen and Scout Spraggins completing the top five.